In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Believers, do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inmates. This is best for you, so that you may take heed.
If you find no one in the house, do not enter it until you are given leave; and if you are told to go back, then go back, as it is most proper for you. God has full knowledge of all that you do.
You will incur no sin if you enter uninhabited houses in which you have something of use. God knows all that you do openly, and all that you would conceal. (Light, Al-Noor: 24: 27-29)
Our discussion last week centered on the first two of the three verses above. We mentioned that Islam requires visitors not to enter other people’s homes without first seeking permission and greeting their inmates. If a visitor is told that his visit is inconvenient, he should go back without feeling embarrassed or taking offense. We also pointed out that this applies to private dwellings. The situation is different in places of public nature, such as hotels and guest houses.
“You will incur no sin if you enter uninhabited houses in which you have something of use. God knows all that you do openly, and all that you would conceal.” The point here is that of God’s knowledge of all our situations and what we do in public or private. The feeling that God watches us in all situations should make people more obedient and willing to observe the refined manners which God has outlined in His book that lays down a code of living for all humanity.
As a complete code for human life, the Qur’an emphasizes this point of detail in social life because it aims to regulate life in all its aspects, bringing its details in line with its fundamental issues.
Thus, seeking permission before entering other people’s homes respects the sanctity which makes the home a place of relaxation.
It spares its people the embarrassment of being taken by surprise, or being seen in a situation that they would prefer not to be seen. We are not talking here only about the parts of the human body which should be covered. At home people may be in a situation which they simply do not like others to see.
It could relate to their personal appearance, the way they dress or lay their furniture, or anything else. It could also relate to feelings and emotions. Who of us would like to be seen in a situation of weakness, crying or angry or in pain or distress?
The Qur’anic code of manners attends to all these details through the requirement of seeking permission before entering someone else’s home. It also seeks to reduce chances of casual meetings or sightings that could arouse desires and develop into unacceptable relations that Satan may stealthily encourage.
The first Muslim community to be addressed by the Qur’an clearly understood such directives and their purpose. The Prophet himself was the first to implement them.
The Prophet visited Saad ibn Ubadah, the chief of the Ansar, at home and sought permission, saying: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”, which means, peace and God’s mercy be bestowed on you. Saad replied in a low voice. His son, Qays, asked him: “Are you not letting God’s messenger in?” Saad said: “Let him wish us peace more.”
Again the Prophet repeated his greeting and Saad replied in a low voice two more times. Therefore, the Prophet departed, but Saad ran after him and explained what happened, saying: “Messenger of God, I certainly heard your greetings and replied quietly hoping that you would wish us peace more and more.” The Prophet went in with him. Saad ordered water to be brought for the Prophet to wash. Then he gave him a small blanket dyed with saffron to cover himself. The Prophet then raised his hands, praying: “My Lord, shower your blessings and grace on Saad ibn Ubadah’s family.” (Related by Abu Dawood and Al-Nassaie).
The Prophet taught his companions how to approach someone else’s home, saying: “If you come toward a home, do not face the door straight, but stand to the right or to the left, and say: Assalamu alaikum! Assalamu alaikum! At that time, there were no screens on doors.” (Related by Abu Dawood).
Saad ibn Abi Waqqas came to the Prophet and stood facing the door, seeking permission.
The Prophet said to him: “Move this way or that way, because permission is sought before a person looks in.” (Related by Abu Dawood)
An authentic Hadith quotes the Prophet as saying: “If a person overlooks you without having obtained permission, and you hit him with a small stone, and cause him a severe injury in his eye, you have nothing to answer for.” (Related by Al-Bukahri and Muslim)
Rib’ie, a companion of the Prophet, reports: “A man from the Amir clan sought permission to enter the Prophet home, saying: ‘Can I enter?’ The Prophet said to his servant: ‘Go to this man and teach him how to seek permission. Tell him to say: Assalamu alaikum. May I come in? The man overheard the Prophet and said exactly that. The Prophet gave him permission and he entered.” (Related by Abu Dawood)
Abdullah ibn Umar was walking, troubled by the heat, and he urgently needed to relieve himself. He approached a Qurayshi woman’s place, and said: “Assalamu alaikum. May I come in?” She said: “Enter with peace.” He repeated what he said, and she repeated her reply. He was unable to stand still. He told her to say: “Come in”, if she wanted to give him permission and she did so. He then entered.
All these Hadiths show how the Prophet’s companions learned Islamic manners and immediately started to put them in practice.
